Nigeria Book Afcon Last 16 Spot In Spite of Fierce Tunisia Comeback
Former Continent's Best Player of the Year the Napoli star helped his team build a commanding lead, but they were forced to defend resolutely for a narrow victory.
The three-time champions weathered a dramatic late rally from their opponents to progress to the knockout stage of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations taking place in Morocco.
Jose Peseiro's side appeared to be in complete control in their Group C encounter in the Moroccan city, holding a 3-0 lead with just a quarter of an hour left courtesy of strikes from their attacking trio.
However, Montassar Talbi pulled one back with a close-range finish from a Hannibal Mejbri set-piece, igniting hopes of a recovery.
The drama escalated when the North Africans were given a spot-kick after a video assistant referee check spotted a handball by Bright Osayi-Samuel. The left-back calmly slotted home in the 87th minute to set up a nail-biting finale.
The Carthage Eagles were inches away from a stunning equalizer in added time, with captain Ferjani Sassi directing a opportunity just past the post before a substitute guided a bobbling volley wide of the upright.
Securing First Place
The victory means that Nigeria, champions of the competition on 3 past instances, move to six group points and are guaranteed top spot in their pool with a match left to play.
In the next round, they will meet a third-placed side from either Group A, B or F.
In the other match, the 2004 champions remain on three points, with Uganda and Tanzania locked on a single point each after playing out a one-all stalemate earlier on Saturday.
The concluding pool matches will see the group leaders stay in Fes to play the Cranes on Tuesday, while the Eagles of Carthage travel back to Rabat to confront the Taifa Stars.
An Anxious Conclusion
The Tunisian defender smashed home from 12 yards to give his team hope of snatching a draw.
Nigeria, finalists in the 2023 edition, become the next nation after the Pharaohs to reach the next phase, but their manager and supporters will certainly be feeling relieved.
What seemed set to be a comfortable last period morphed into a tense conclusion.
Victor Osimhen had a effort ruled out for offside before breaking the deadlock right before half-time, expertly guiding a header into the bottom corner from an Ademola Lookman cross.
The lead was extended soon in the second period when Wilfred Ndidi rose highest to thump in a header from a set-piece corner.
Osimhen then turned provider his teammate for the third goal, only for Montassar Talbi to direct a powerful header past the Nigerian shot-stopper to initiate the fightback.
The pivotal incident came when a high ball hit the arm of the full-back, with referee Boubou Traore pointing to the spot after consulting the pitchside screen.
Despite Ali Abdi's confident conversion, Tunisia ultimately fell short of pulling off a stirring comeback.
Tunisia's destiny is still in their control; a draw against Tunisia will be sufficient to secure progression, and manager Sami Trabelsi will be keen to avoid a recurrence of the past early elimination that led to his previous resignation.
